Kenneth Walker III is poised to enter free agency, as the Seattle Seahawks are not expected to franchise tag him before Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline, according to ESPN.
Walker, 25, is set to become the fourth reigning Super Bowl MVP to enter free agency. The other three — former defensive backs Larry Brown and Dexter Jackson and return specialist Desmond Howard — each signed with new teams after testing the market.
Walker and the Seahawks could still come to terms on a new deal before 4 p.m. on March 11, the official start of free agency. If they don’t, teams can begin contacting Walker and his representatives at noon on March 9, when the league’s legal tampering period begins.
Walker is entering free agency for the first time at an ideal moment. His market value likely rose after he capped a largely successful 2025 season by winning MVP honors following Seattle’s victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX. In a defensive-dominated game, Walker was the best offensive player on the field, amassing 161 all-purpose yards, including 135 yards on 26 carries. He became the first running back in 28 years to win Super Bowl MVP.
Walker will likely vault to the top of the list of soon-to-be available running backs. His options could include the Kansas City Chiefs (both Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt are set to become free agents) and the Jacksonville Jaguars (like Walker, Travis Etienne is on an expiring rookie contract).
From Super Bowl MVP to free agent? Ranking where Seahawks star Kenneth Walker III could land
Zachary Pereles
If they don’t re-sign Walker, the Seahawks will likely look to replace him in free agency or during the 2026 NFL Draft. Seattle still has a productive running back under contract in Zach Charbonnet, a 2023 second-round pick who led the team with 12 touchdown runs this past season. An injury, however, kept Charbonnet out of the Seahawks’ final two playoff games.